Issue 133 Helensville News May 2011 4600 copies delivered monthly to Helensville, Parakai, Kaukapakapa, Waitoki, Wainui, Woodhill, South Head and Shelly Beach Otakanini finalist in Maori farming awards Sustainable farming, culturally sensitive Having worked through the practices and new initiatives at Otakanini drought of 2009 and 2010 he Topu near Helensville have impressed was determined to capture judges in the BNZ Maori Excellence in the 90,000 litre water source, FarmingAwards. and to make it available to the Otakanini Topu is a 2,750 hectare Maori extensive sheep and beef incorporation farm stretching from Muriwai farm. Beach to the southern end of Kaipara This also supports his Harbour. It is a finalist in the Ahuwhenua new 'finishing' program which Trophy, which is the premier award for fattens the sheep and beef Maori in agriculture. sold directly to the works, Manager of 17 months, Ray Monk was ensuring greater profits. surprised at their placement in the top three, The quality water as entry had been to explore the criteria and increases the quality of stock make some adjustments. for sale, which more than “We're obviously on track and ahead of doubles after lambing and where we thought we were ... we realize we calving, he says. can now go further, do some fine tuning and Consultants are used for ! Ray Monk, manager of the Otakanini Topu farm take on some new challenges,” he says. projects, “but where we can Ray replaced widely respected do it ourselves, we do”, says Ray. He is services. The supreme award winner, which manager Heta Tamahori, who retired after adamant he can manage effectively due to will be announced at a gala awards dinner in 34 years. His experience working with the skilled and competent team working Rotorua on June 3, will receive a replica of similar environmental and climatic with him. These include Connie Povey, the original trophy, up to $40,000 in cash conditions on a previous Maori Claude Fill and Witai Povey along with Cyril along with farm related products and incorporation farm impressed the farm's Hodge who with Connie has been part of the services. administrators, who approved his new farm team for more than 25 years. The premier award for Maori in management plan. Another initiative has been to work with agriculture was established in 1932 by Sir The farm covers 2,750 hectares, with the Auckland Romney Development Group Apirana Ngata and alternates between 16,000 stock units wintered on 1,550 to introduce a strain of sheep genetically sheep and beef farms and dairy farms. effective hectares. There are 600 hectares resistant to facial eczema. This has been a Chair of the Otakanini Topu in forestry and the rest is unproductive land problem in the past and costly when losing Incorporation, Hemi Rau says: “We entered in mudflats and wetlands. one ewe and potential lambs has a value of this year primarily for the experience and to Since his appointment in October 2009, $300, according to Ray. flag our determination to win the accolade. Ray has introduced a new water reticulation Since its formation in 1951 from the We are delighted that our hard work and system utilising on-site artesian wells. amalgamation of local Maori family farms determination to overcome the challenges and the return of government-administered experienced by our particular property has land, Otakanini Topu has mapped and paid off.” Inside... maintained the property's many cultural and Ray says he is facing a bright future historic sites. These include urupà and old compared to the past 20 years in farming. Historic lecture on photos ... Pg 2 pa sites, all of which have been marked on New Zealand's strengths were in grass fed Local on Unitec Board ... Pg 3 GPS systems for future reference. animals and with many farms converted to This was one of the features which dairy this had increased competition and Craigweil House expansion ... Pg 4 impressed the judges of the prestigious international demand. Frank McCullough obituary ... Pg 6 award. “We've just experienced our best year Fay Brown obituary ... Pg 8 Finalists receive a medal and $15,000 in for sheep, cattle and wool.” cash and farm related products and - Linda Powell Tyrepower Premier Mechanical Tyres WOFs Exhausts Wheel Alignments Services Valet Exhausts Mechanical Repairs Panel Beating Mags Transmission Repairs Painting Puncture Repairs & Services THE TYRE SPECIALIST IN TOWN Ph 420 8989 91-93 Mill Road, Helensville Ph 420 8843 visit Helensville Online at www.helensville.co.nz All New Fashion, Jewellery, Gifts and Accessories Autumn /Winter Collections now in store! editorial Fabulous gifts for Mum! Once again we honour some great achievements by Helensville residents in our front page story on the Otakanini Topu farm. Also we congratulate Dianne Kidd on her appointment to the thriving Unitec Council (see story opposite). We also celebrate the proactive lives of two residents who were inspirational in our community and are saddened by their passing, recently. For the cooler evenings and onset of the winter term we have some delicious soup recipes from local award winning chef Peter Brennan. The pumpkin soup has been a hit in our household already (see page 11). As promised the Rodney Local Board want to be representative of the local community and during the recent months Board members have been out and about listening to what the community has to say about priorities and projects. The Rodney Local Board is keen to lobby for the best for our area, particularly ph 420 9898 around issues such as transport, economic development, water and waste water and 6 Commercial Rd, Helensville the management of growth. The results will be drafted into the 2012 - 2015 Rodney Local Board Plan this month which has the vision: 'Productive, progressive and dynamic rural communities.' We hope you will contribute through the formal series of submissions and hearings to follow. For further information contact a local board member or email: [email protected]. - Linda Powell, Editor Cool Room & Freezer Room Manufacture ! Milk Vats Air Conditioning!! Vineyards Marine Specialists Bottle Chillers!! Ice Machines Water Chillers Helensville life in the 1940s Service agents for Frigo Boat DC Refrigeration and Climma Air Conditioning Images of life in Helensville in the Macky's home and surgery in Porter 1940s will feature at the first of the Crescent, primary school activities Design!! Sales Installation ! Service ! Tech Support Historical Society's Winter Lectures for (1946) and boats 'The Minerva' and the FOR PROMPT SERVICE 2011. 'Ruawai' (1946). THROUGHOUT THE 09 420 3404 The 16mm monochrome movie film Alan has been researching the films AUCKLAND REGION CALL 24 HOURS was taken by the late Mr A H and has been able to identify and name Brackebush, and is being transferred almost 100 people -some of whom are Mobile/AH 027 600 5042 onto DVD byAlan Scott of Snells Beach. still living in the district. OFFICES AT SILVERDALE & WELLSFORD Alan will be presenting a selection of Mr Brackebush was a www.totalrefrigeration.co.nz these images at the lecture on Sunday, physiotherapist at Parakai Domain, and May 15, 1.30pm at the Catholic Church's was a member of the first Borough Father Sakey Centre, Kowhai Street, Council, elected in 1947. His home was HELENSVILLE AUTO ELECTRICAL Helensville. near the corner of Garfield Road and According to a report in the Rautawhiri Road. We look forward to providing you with all newspaper of the time (the 'Kaipara and - Wynne HaySmith your auto electrical supplies and services. Waitemata Echo') the Anzac Day celebrations in 1947 were attended by Domestic and 400 people, and 117 former servicemen commercial from the Boer War and both World Wars batteries at very marched behind the Ponsonby Boys competitive Band. Also in the parade were local prices. groups including many children. Max Jenkins, a lad at the time, told Alan that he and the late Mr George Cowper Snr Unit B, 103 Mill Rd, Helensville led the parade. Shots from that film will (behind Helensville Fitness Centre) be presented at the lecture. Other films which may feature are Ph 420 8181 Mob 021 689 700 1944 images of the building of Dr J ! Men in the Anzac Parade, April 24, 1947 Villa & Bungalow rewire specialist Driving Ivan Nelson Domestic / Commercial Ph: 021 417 992 - 420 2028 installation & maintenance Tuition 027 442 7642 For details of the next Kaipara Coast Restricted Driving UPHOLSTERY Test in Helensville - SERVICES - please phone free quote free pickup PLANNING SURVEYING ENGINEERING Sylvia Wilson: free delivery Don Berry 09 4202524or 027 322 8961 412-2313 09 420 4010 2 Issue 133, May 2011 Local appointed to Unitec Council MAY Local identity and Chair of the institution, says Council chairman Ted Helensville District Health Trust, Dianne vanArkel. Mum .. Mother .. Grandma .. Nana .. Kidd has been appointed to the Dianne was previously the Head of prestigious Unitec Council. Wholesale Distribution with ASB Group Gifts for Dianne's new appointment along Investments and has also acted as the all at: with that of Martin Udale will bring a national sales manager and relationship wealth of professional experience to the manager for Colonial First State Investments. She is currently a director of AsureQuality Limited and Chair of Iris Limited, which provides community based services to people with Time for Knitting is now... disabilities or health problems. "Dianne brings an excellent The Best Gift Shop in Town! understanding of marketing and OPEN 7 DAYS - LAYBY AVAILABLE relationship management to this role," says Mr van Arkel. "Her extensive 44 Commercial Rd Phone / fax 420 8336 background in investment management will assist the Council to meet our objective to continue to exercise CRAIGWEIL HOUSE responsible stewardship of Unitec's financial assets." Residential Care Dianne's appointment to the eight If you are looking for residential care in a friendly member Unitec Council was made by and warm environment, join us at Craigweil.